Why Worry Isn't Always Wrong


Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Matthew 6:27

"I worry about our kids more than I used to." I made this confession to my husband yesterday. I felt like a spiritual failure. Isn't worry in opposition to faith? Shouldn't my faith ever increase?

As God deposited His goodness into my life, my faith increased:

He delivered us from a lengthy legal battle.
He eradicated cancer from my husband's body.
He navigated Scott's career into the ministry.

Am I a spiritual "wimp" because I worry? Not if I worry enough to pray but not enough to paralyze.

When my worry leads me to the feet of Jesus, it centers me.
When my concern causes me to cast my cares on Him, it frees me.
When my anxiety aims me closer to His heart, it fills me with a better thing.

I may worry more about my kids, than I once did but I allow my worry to take me to the One who conquers my cares. Maybe my worry isn't always wrong after all.

26 comments:

  1. Your words are so true and needed! I have wasted away my day with worry so far and am committing myself to stop this instant. Thank you!

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    1. So thankful you've been touched this morning by His heart to carry you throughout your day!

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  2. Shannon, I love what you've found - the blessing in worry! I never thought of it this way, but you're spot on. When worry brings us to the feet of Jesus (and where else can I really go with it?!), it grows our faith. Thanks for the message today.
    Blessings,
    Ann

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    1. Dr. Ann, you know first hand all the things parents worry about and I'm so thankful you are a voice for marriage and parenting with God's help!

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  3. Thank you Shannon, I needed this! We recently learned that my 13 yr old has high cholesterol. Although it's not dangerously high, it's not where it should be. He's active and a busy-body, but eating habits need to change. As mothers, I don't think we'll ever stop worrying about our children and yes.. it definitely takes us to the foot of the cross and keeps me praying.

    Blessings to you!

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    1. Oh Luana, joining you in prayer right now for the discipline to make necessary changes, the peace to know He's handling it and the confidence to remember what a great mom you are.

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  4. I love the picture you found to go with this (it matches your page too)! I feel like a hypocrite when I read the bible to my son sometimes. Last night I explained how why he shouldn't fear anything because God is always with him. I explained to him how God is with him and when something makes him feel afraid its not God. Yet I fear ALL the time. Humph!

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    1. Girl, fear is like worry. It's not wrong when we take it to the One who eradicates fear. XO

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  5. I agree 100% its not wrong to worry--what is the "sin" is to wallow in the worry The Bible says 1 Peter 5:7
    King James Version (KJV)
    Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

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    1. Me? Wallow? Okay sometimes I must admit. :)

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  6. This is such a good reminder that worry can be constructive instead of destructive if we go to God.

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    1. I so loved this quote! I tweeted it. Did you see? :)

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  7. Love this Shannon, this is so true we can worry but just dont stay there having a pity party for yourself. Be blessed.

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    1. Pamela, love how you see the fine line between the two!

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  8. Thank you Shannon. Your words, so wise, have not only helped me, but have also reminded me of my faith in God. Thank you!

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  9. I agree Shannon. It's worry, concern, grief that drives me to my Father. I think we can take worry and turn it in to worship when we trust him.

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  10. I think that sometimes worry reminds us that we have Jesus to rely on. If everything was always perfect we could get to thinking that we somehow did it all our selves.

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  11. Shannon, that is exactly what I needed to hear today!! I've been one big ball of worry the last few weeks, and only half that time Have I let it lead me where I needed to be...on my KNEES! Thank you for the cold water to the face to wake me up and see what I needed to see today.

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  12. What a lovely post. Words I needed today, as well.

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    1. So thankful, Barb, to be a source of encouragement for you today!

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  13. Wonderful way you bring your thoughts into words. I'm also a mom, who soon much worried. But it brings me to Jesus! Because I know how He can help me in the midst of my cares.

    Have a good weekend Shannon

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